My Cool Old Stuff

Pistol grip candle holder.  One of the more scarce varieties of candle holder. this one came from Butte, Montana.  Notice how the rivets that hold the candle and hook to the body have been replaced with wire.  The rivets probably wore out and the miner used wire for the repair rather than replace his candle holder.

Justrite Model 3-300 Carbide Lamp

Not one of Justries's better ideas.  The carbide- water reaction was so hot that the plastic body frequently melted and sometimes caught fire.

Underground Mine Lights

Justrite pocket flask for carbide

Coal mines are particularly  dangerous because of the presence of methane gas.  Easily ignitable and highly explosive candles, oil wick lamps and carbide lamps were dangerous because of their exposed flame.  Safety lamps kept the flame enclosed in a glass housing and the heat given off by the flame was dissipated by a wire mesh.  This greatly reduced the risk of a methane explosion.

Mine Safety Lamps

Kohler  Safety Lamp Model 289-1A

Circa 1960

Wolf Safety Lamp

Circa 1945

Justrite Model 50C 8 hour   hand lamp.

ITP "Its Trouble Proof"  8 hour hand  lamp.

Justrite nickle plated lamp.  Frequently called a "Supervisor's Lamp" this model was more expensive and not commonly used by miners.

Guy's Dropper, Shanklin Manufacturing Company Circa 1920

Baldwin II  R Side Lamp  Circa 1910. This was one of the first and most successful mine lamps.

One of the most recognizable symbols of mining is the carbide lamp.  Appearing in the United States in the early 1900s these lamps burned acetylene gas produced by the mixture of carbide and water. Carbide lamps were used in the United States well into the 1970s.  This Wolf brand lamp  with the unusual "Tommy Stick" was found in an abandoned mine near Butte, Montana and given to my by a close friend.

Less ornate but just as functional this lamp was made by J.W. Patten of Wilksbarre, PA.

Oil lamps followed the candle.  Shown above is a US Eagle brand oil lamp patented in 1904.

Miners underground in Butte, Montana using candles for light.

Candle holder made from wire. 

Varney candle holder and stearic candle.  The candle was manufactured by Chas. T. Perry Helena, Montana

Mining underground is a dangerous business.  It is even more dangerous when you work underground.  The ability to see well can make the difference between life and death.  Over the centuries the technology of illumination has changed and improved making underground mines  brighter and safer.